Housing for a vehicle camera, vehicle camera, and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing (16) of a vehicle camera (14), the vehicle camera (14), and a vehicle. The housing (16) includes at least one main housing part (18) having at least one receiving opening, and at least one objective lens module housing part (22) having at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system, the objective lens module housing part (22) being arranged in at least one of the at least one receiving openings of the at least one main housing part (18). The at least one main housing part (18) has at least one main contact part (48). The at least one objective lens module housing part (22) has at least one module contact part (90) that at least partially contacts the at least one main contact part (48). At least one of the main contact parts (48) has at least one main contact surface (60) that curves at least in part (62). At least one of the module contact parts (90) is at least one module contact surface (96) that curves at least in part (102), and the at least one module contact surface (96) at least partially contacts at least one of the at least one curved parts (62) of at least one main contact surface (60) of the at least one main contact part (48). The curvature of at least one of the at least one curved parts (62) of at least one main contact surface (60) and the curvature of at least one of the at least one contacting curved parts (102) of at least one module contact surface (96) are the same.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing for a vehicle camera, comprising at least one main housing part having at least one receiving opening, and at least one objective lens module housing part having at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system, the objective lens module housing part being arranged in at least one of the receiving openings of at least one of the main housing parts, wherein at least one of the main housing parts has at least one main contact part, and at least one of the objective lens module housing parts has at least one module contact part that at least partially contacts at least one of the main contact parts.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle camera having at least one housing in which at least one image sensor is arranged and at least one optical system aligned with at least one of the image sensors, the at least one housing having at least one main housing part having at least one receiving opening, and at least one objective lens module housing part having at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system, the objective lens module housing part being arranged in at least one of the receiving openings of at least one of the main housing parts, wherein at least one of the main housing parts has at least one main contact part, and at least one of the objective lens module housing parts has at least one module contact part that at least partially contacts at least one of the main contact parts.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle having at least one vehicle camera, wherein the vehicle camera has at least one housing in which at least one image sensor is arranged and at least one optical system aligned with at least one of the image sensors is arranged, and at least one of the housings has at least one main housing part having at least one receiving opening and at least one objective lens module housing part having at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one of the optical systems, the objective lens module housing part being arranged in at least one of the receiving openings of at least one of the main housing parts, and at least one of the main housing parts has at least one main contact part, and at least one of the objective lens module housing parts has at least one module contact part that at least partially contacts at least one of the main contact parts.

Background Art

[0004] DE 10 2019 113 081 A1 discloses a vehicle camera comprising a main housing part and at least one objective lens module mounted in a receptacle of the main housing part. The objective lens module comprises a module housing part. The main housing part has a housing step in the region of its rear side. An opening forming the receptacle extends into a cover existing below the main housing part through the front side of the housing step facing away from the rear side from the upper surface of the housing step. A rim part surrounding the receptacle in the region of the upper surface and the front side of the housing step forms a step in the contour and a support part of the module housing part. The module housing part has a support rim part. The support rim part extends as a step corresponding to the rim part of the receptacle on the upper surface and the front side of the housing step and the cover part. Steps are formed in the contour corresponding to the side part and the support part on the upper surface of the housing step of the main housing part by the side part and the rear part of the support rim part.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a housing, a vehicle camera, and a vehicle of the type described at the beginning, in which the vehicle camera can be assembled in a better, specifically, simpler and / or more reliable manner. In particular, it is intended to achieve the protection class required for the operation of the vehicle camera in a more reliable and simpler manner.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, this object is achieved in the case of a housing by the fact that at least one of the main contact parts has at least one main contact surface that is curved at least in part, and at least one of the module contact parts is at least one module contact surface that is curved at least in part, and has a module contact surface that at least partially contacts at least one of the curved parts of at least one main contact surface of at least one of the main contact parts, and the curvature of at least one of the curved parts of at least one of the main contact surfaces and the curvature of at least one of the contacting curved parts of at least one of the module contact surfaces are the same.

[0007] According to the present invention, at least one curved part of the main contact surface contacts at least one curved part of the module contact surface. The curved part enables the main contact surface to be aligned more flexibly with respect to the module contact surface to be contacted. In this way, it is possible to better compensate for the tolerances between parts. Therefore, the main contact surface can be in close contact with the module contact surface. In this way, the leak prevention property of the joint can be realized in a simpler manner as a whole. As a whole, the curved contact surface can realize the protection class required for protection against the intrusion of foreign matter and / or water in a simpler manner. According to the present invention, in particular, the international protection class, specifically IPx2 or IP52 (International Protection x2 or 52), can be realized in a simpler and more reliable manner.

[0008] The mutually contacting curved portions of at least one main contact surface and at least one module contact surface have the same curvature. Accordingly, the curved portions of the at least one main contact surface and the at least one module contact surface are complementary to each other. Thereby, a joint portion with leakage prevented can be realized.

[0009] The housing has at least one main housing portion. Parts of a vehicle camera, particularly at least one circuit board, electrical / electronic components, mechanical and / or optical components, etc. can be arranged in the main housing portion. Further, the at least one main housing portion can have a connection portion, particularly a connection portion for electrical terminals, specifically a corresponding portion for receiving a plug or the like.

[0010] Also, the housing has at least one objective lens module housing portion. The at least one objective lens module housing portion has at least one objective lens receptacle for at least one optical system. Accordingly, the optical system can be held in the objective lens receptacle. The at least one optical system can have or consist of at least one lens, at least one objective lens, etc. The optical system can reproduce an image of an object within the field of view of the vehicle camera on at least one image sensor.

[0011] Furthermore, the at least one objective lens module housing portion can have at least one receiving means, particularly at least one holding means for a circuit board or the like. The receiving means can be used to support at least one image sensor, particularly an imaging element chip. Also, the at least one holding means can be directly configured as a receptacle for at least one image sensor. Thereby, additional components such as a circuit board can be omitted in particular.

[0012] The objective lens module can advantageously be realized by having at least one objective lens module housing part, at least one image sensor, and at least one optical system. Thereby, the objective lens module can be pre-assembled separately from the main housing part. In the process of pre-assembling this objective lens module, at least one optical system can be aligned with at least one image sensor. Thereafter, the pre-assembled objective lens module can be connected to at least one main housing part and the corresponding components housed therein.

[0013] The at least one main housing part can have at least one installation opening. Through the at least one installation opening, corresponding components, particularly at least one circuit board, etc., can be introduced into the interior of the housing. Further, the housing can have at least one housing closing part. The at least one installation opening can be closed by the housing closing part.

[0014] The vehicle camera can advantageously be configured to acquire an image, shape, movement, distance, direction, and / or speed of an object. Thereby, information can be acquired from the monitoring area targeted by the vehicle camera using the vehicle camera.

[0015] The vehicle camera can advantageously be an imaging camera. This type of vehicle camera can be used to monitor the monitoring area inside and / or around the vehicle.

[0016] The vehicle camera can advantageously be a "front camera". The front camera can be used to monitor the monitoring area in front of the vehicle in the traveling direction.

[0017] The vehicle camera can advantageously be configured to be arranged on a window of the vehicle, particularly the front windshield. Thereby, the vehicle camera can be arranged in a protected manner inside the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle camera can be directed towards the interior and / or the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0018] A vehicle camera can advantageously be used in motor vehicles. Advantageously, the vehicle camera can be used in land vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, construction or transport machines such as cranes and excavators, aircraft, in particular drones, and / or ships. The vehicle camera can also be used in vehicles that can be operated autonomously or at least semi-autonomously. The vehicle camera can also be used in robots and / or machines.

[0019] The vehicle camera can advantageously be connected to at least one electronic control device of the vehicle, in particular to a driver assistance system or the like, or can be part of such a control device. In this way, at least some of the functions of the vehicle, in particular the driving function, can be carried out autonomously or semi-autonomously. In this case, the information obtained by the vehicle camera can be transmitted to at least one control device of the vehicle and used to control the functions of the vehicle.

[0020] The vehicle camera can be used to detect stationary or moving objects, in particular vehicles, humans, gestures, movements, animals, plants, obstacles, road irregularities, in particular holes and rocks, road boundaries, traffic signs, free spaces, in particular parking spaces, precipitation, etc.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the curved portion can extend in an arcuate shape away from the rear inner main contact portion towards the front and / or bottom of the housing, in particular directly or directly. The rear inner main contact portion can be located on the side of the receiving opening facing the rear of the housing. The rear inner main contact portion can further be located on the side of the receiving opening opposite to the front inner main contact portion. The front inner main contact portion and the rear inner main contact portion can extend substantially parallel to the virtual axis. The receiving opening can be surrounded by an inner main contact frame that can surround in particular two side inner main contact portions, a front inner main contact portion, and a rear inner main contact portion. The front inner main contact portion can be located on the side of the stepped region facing the front. The stepped region can extend at the rear of the housing. The front can be the side facing the optical system.

[0022] In another advantageous embodiment, the curved portion may extend over an angle of about 90°, in particular over an angle of 90°. In particular, the angle of about 90° may be in the range of 80 to 100°, in particular 85 to 95°.

[0023] In another advantageous embodiment, the curved portion may particularly occupy most of the lateral main contact portion. In particular, the curved portion may occupy about half of the main contact portion, in particular more than half of the main contact portion.

[0024] In another advantageous embodiment, the curvature of at least one of the curved portions of at least one of the main contact surfaces is constant in at least one plane, and / or the curvature of at least one of the curved portions of at least one of the module contact surfaces is constant in at least one plane, and / or at least one of the main contact surfaces may extend at least partially along a virtual cylindrical surface, in particular along a virtual cylindrical surface, and / or at least one of the module contact surfaces may extend at least partially along a virtual cylindrical surface, in particular along a virtual cylindrical surface. Due to the constant curvature in at least one plane, at least one main contact surface and at least one module contact surface can move relative to each other without losing their contact.

[0025] The curvature in at least one plane extending perpendicular to the axis of the virtual cylinder may advantageously be constant. The corresponding at least one curved portion may extend along the virtual cylindrical surface. In this way, the curvature can be realized in a simple manner.

[0026] At least one curved portion of at least one main contact surface may advantageously extend along a circle of curvature. Alternatively or additionally, at least one curved portion of at least one module contact surface may extend along a circle of curvature. In this way, a constant curvature can be realized in any case.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the main contact surfaces may advantageously extend along a virtual cylindrical surface, in particular along a virtual cylindrical face. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the module contact surfaces may at least partially extend along a virtual cylindrical surface, in particular along a virtual cylindrical face. In this way, the corresponding contact surfaces have no curvature when viewed in the direction of the axis. Thus, the main contact surface and at least one module contact surface can be realized with a greater assembly tolerance in the direction of the axis.

[0028] In another advantageous embodiment, at least one of the main housing parts may have at least two main contact parts each having at least one main contact surface, and / or at least one objective lens module housing part may have at least two module contact parts each having at least one main contact surface. Thereby, the range of each contact surface can be enlarged. In this way, the leak prevention property and / or mechanical stability of the joint between at least one objective lens module housing part and at least one main housing part can be improved and / or realized in a simpler manner.

[0029] In another advantageous embodiment, at least two of the main contact parts may be arranged on both sides of at least one of the receiving openings, and / or at least two of the module contact parts may be arranged on both sides of at least one of the receiving openings. Thereby, at least one objective lens module housing part can be supported on both sides of at least one receiving opening on at least one main housing part.

[0030] In this way, it becomes further possible to seal at least one receiving opening on both sides by the mutually contacting contact parts.

[0031] In another advantageous embodiment, at least two of the main contact parts can be arranged on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings, and / or at least two of the module contact parts can be arranged on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings. Thereby, the mechanical stability and / or leak prevention property on the side of the receiving opening can be improved and / or realized in a simpler manner.

[0032] At least two main contact parts arranged on the same side of at least one receiving opening can advantageously have different dimensions and / or shapes. Alternatively or additionally, at least two module contact parts arranged on the same side of at least one receiving opening can advantageously have different dimensions and / or shapes. Thereby, a kind of labyrinth seal can be realized between the main contact part and each module contact part. In this way, the leak prevention property of the joint between the main contact part and the correspondingly contacting module contact part can be improved and / or realized in a simpler manner.

[0033] In another advantageous embodiment, the curved portions of the respective main contact surfaces of at least two of the main contact parts can have the same curvature in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis, and / or the curved portions of the respective module contact surfaces of at least two of the module contact parts can have the same curvature in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis. Thereby, at least one objective lens module housing part can be rotated relative to at least one main housing part in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis. Here, the curved portions of the respective contacting main contact surface and module contact surface are slidable along each other while maintaining contact. In this way, the assembly tolerance between the objective lens module housing part and the main housing part can be compensated better. Further in this way, the alignment of at least one objective lens receptacle with respect to at least one main housing part can be set better and / or in a simpler manner.

[0034] In another advantageous embodiment, the curved portions of the respective main contact surfaces of at least two of the main contact portions may have different radii of curvature with respect to the axis in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis, and / or the curved portions of the respective main contact surfaces of at least two of the main contact portions may have the same radius of curvature with respect to the axis in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis, and / or the curved portions of the respective module contact surfaces of at least two of the module contact portions may have different radii of curvature with respect to the axis in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis, and / or the curved portions of the respective module contact surfaces of at least two of the module contact portions may have the same radius of curvature with respect to the axis in at least one common sector when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis. Thereby, the dimensions of the objective lens module housing portion and the main housing portion can be configured more flexibly.

[0035] At least two main contact surfaces located on the same side of at least one receiving opening may advantageously have different radii of curvature. In a corresponding aspect, alternatively or additionally, at least two module contact surfaces located on the same side of the receiving opening may have different radii of curvature. Thereby, a labyrinth-type seal region can be realized between the respective contact surfaces. In this way, the sealing effect can be further improved and / or realized in a simpler and more reliable manner.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, at least two main contact surfaces located on the same side of at least one receiving opening may advantageously have the same radius of curvature. In a corresponding aspect, alternatively or additionally, at least two module contact surfaces located on the same side of the receiving opening may have the same radius of curvature. Thereby, at least one objective lens module housing portion can be supported in a more uniform manner on both sides by at least one main housing portion.

[0037] In another advantageous embodiment, at least one common sector can extend over an angle of from 30° to 90°. Thereby, on the one hand, a good ratio between the sealing effect and the mechanical support, and on the other hand, a good ratio between the sealing effect and the tolerance compensation can be achieved.

[0038] In another advantageous embodiment, at least two main contact parts having corresponding main contact surfaces located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings can be arranged in series when viewed from the receiving opening, and the curvature radius of the curved part of the main contact surface of the main contact part further away from at least one of the receiving openings can be smaller than the curvature radius of the curved part of the main contact surface of the main contact part closer to the receiving opening, and / or at least two module contact parts having corresponding module contact surfaces located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings can be arranged in series when viewed from the receiving opening, and the curvature radius of the curved part of the module contact surface of the module contact part further away from the receiving opening can be smaller than the curvature radius of the curved part of the module contact surface of the module contact part closer to the receiving opening. Thereby, the module contact part farther away from the receiving opening can shield the module contact surface and the main contact surface of the contact part located closer to the surroundings. In this way, the main contact surface and the more distant module contact surface can be protected from the surroundings.

[0039] In another advantageous embodiment, at least one curved part of at least one main contact surface can be at least partially convexly curved when viewed in the direction of the corresponding main contact surface, and / or at least one curved part of at least one module contact surface can be at least partially concavely curved when viewed in the direction of the corresponding module contact surface. Thereby, the corresponding module contact part can be configured in a space-saving manner. In this way, there is a possibility of better access to the space between the module contact parts, especially for arranging an image sensor, an image sensor circuit, etc.

[0040] According to the present invention, this object is further achieved in the case of a vehicle camera due to the fact that it has at least one housing according to the present invention.

[0041] According to the present invention, at least one of the main contact portions has at least one main contact surface that is curved at least in part. At least one of the module contact portions is at least one module contact surface that is curved at least in part, and has a module contact surface that at least partially contacts at least one of the curved portions of at least one main contact surface of at least one of the main contact portions. The curvature of at least one of the curved portions of at least one main contact surface and the curvature of at least one of the contacting curved portions of at least one of the module contact surfaces are the same.

[0042] In the case of the housing according to the present invention, the leak prevention between at least one objective lens module housing portion and at least one main housing portion can be realized in a simpler and more reliable manner.

[0043] Furthermore, this object is achieved in the case of a vehicle according to the present invention. The vehicle has at least one vehicle camera having at least one housing according to the present invention.

[0044] With at least one housing according to the present invention, the leak prevention of at least one vehicle camera can be realized in a simpler and more reliable manner. In this way, a vehicle camera that meets the essential conditions of international protection classes, particularly IPx2 or IP52, can be obtained.

[0045] With the vehicle camera, it is possible to monitor at least one monitoring area around and / or inside the vehicle with respect to an object.

[0046] The vehicle may advantageously be provided with at least one driving assistance system. The driver assistance system can be used to operate the vehicle autonomously or at least semi-autonomously.

[0047] Advantageously, at least one vehicle camera can be functionally connected to at least one driver assistance system of the vehicle. In this way, information regarding at least one monitoring area, in particular information regarding an object that can be confirmed by at least one vehicle camera, can be transmitted to at least one driver assistance system. Considering the information regarding at least one monitoring area, the vehicle can be operated autonomously or at least semi-autonomously using at least one driver assistance system.

[0048] Furthermore, the features and advantages shown with respect to the housing according to the invention, the vehicle camera according to the invention, and the vehicle according to the invention, and their respective advantageous configurations are also applicable in corresponding manners, and vice versa. The individual features and advantages can of course be combined with each other. In this case, other advantageous effects exceeding the combined individual effects may occur.

[0049] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which explains exemplary embodiments of the present invention in more detail with reference to the drawings. A person skilled in the art can appropriately examine the features disclosed in combination in the drawings, the description, and the claims individually and combine them to form further meaningful combinations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a vehicle 10 in the form of a passenger car. The vehicle 10 includes a driver assistance system 12 and a vehicle camera 14. FIGS. 2 to 12 show the vehicle camera 14 and its components in various perspectives, cross-sections, and detailed views.

[0053] The vehicle camera 14 is functionally connected to the driver assistance system 12. Accordingly, the information acquired by the vehicle camera 14 can be transmitted to the driver assistance system 12. The driver assistance system 12 can be used to operate the vehicle 10 autonomously or semi-autonomously.

[0054] The vehicle camera 14 is configured as a front camera, for example, as a windshield camera. The vehicle camera 14 is disposed at the upper inner side of the front windshield of the vehicle 10 and is directed toward the monitoring area in front of the vehicle 10 in the traveling direction. The vehicle camera 14 can be similarly disposed at other locations on the vehicle 10 in different orientations. A plurality of vehicle cameras 14 can be disposed on the vehicle 10. The vehicle camera 14 may be directed toward the inside of the vehicle 10.

[0055] As an example, the vehicle camera 14 is an imaging camera. The monitoring area can be detected at a local resolution by the vehicle camera 14.

[0056] The vehicle camera 14 includes a housing 16. The housing 16 is composed of a main housing part 18, a housing closing part 20, and an objective lens module housing part 22.

[0057] The objective lens module housing part 22 includes an objective lens receptacle 24. An optical system in the form of an objective lens 26, for example, is fixed to the objective lens receptacle 24.

[0058] Furthermore, an image sensor circuit board (not shown for clarity) is disposed in the objective lens module housing portion 22. An image sensor, for example, an image sensor chip, exists on the surface of the image sensor circuit board facing the objective lens 26, but illustration thereof is omitted for clarity. The objective lens 26 is aligned with and focused on the image sensor. Electromagnetic waves, such as light, from the monitoring area can be converted into electrical signals with local resolution by the image sensor. The electrical signals can be processed by corresponding electronic components of the vehicle camera 14. In this way, an image of the monitoring area, for example, an image of an object in the monitoring area, can be generated.

[0059] The objective lens module housing portion 22 is fixed to the receiving opening 28 in the main housing portion 18. The receiving opening 28 is provided for this purpose. On the side facing the opposite of the objective lens module housing portion 22, the main housing portion 18 has an installation opening 30 for the housing closing portion 20. For example, in FIGS. 5 and 7, it can be seen that the installation opening 30 is within the housing 16 that is open in the drawing. The installation opening 30 has a generally rectangular peripheral edge.

[0060] The main housing portion 18 and the housing closing portion 20 define the housing interior 32 of the housing 16. The main circuit board 34 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed within the housing interior 32 between the main housing portion 18 and the housing closing portion 20.

[0061] A plurality of functional components, which are, for example, electronic components, and a plurality of connection components, which are, for example, electrical connection plugs, are mounted on the main circuit board 34.

[0062] The main circuit board 34 is functionally connected to the image sensor circuit board via, for example, a flexible cable. Data can be exchanged between the main circuit board 34 and the image sensor circuit board via the cable. The cable can further have an electrical supply line.

[0063] The receiving opening 28 is located in a stepped area 36 extending at the back 38 of the housing 16. The receiving opening 28 extends across the side surface of the stepped area 36 facing the front 40 and the upper surface 42 of the housing 16.

[0064] In the state where the vehicle camera 14 is installed, the front 40 faces the monitoring area in front of the vehicle in the traveling direction in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the front 40 is the side towards which the objective lens 26 faces. In the state where the vehicle camera 14 is installed, the upper surface 42 faces upward. If the arrangement of the vehicle camera 14 is reversed, the upper surface 42 may face downward. The front 40 of the vehicle camera 14 may be aligned rearward or laterally with respect to the traveling direction.

[0065] The receiving opening 28 is surrounded by an inner main contact frame 44 and an outer main contact frame 46. The outer main contact frame 46 surrounds the inner main contact frame 44 and the receiving opening 28 on three sides, that is, the side facing the front 40 and the adjacent sides extending between the front 40 and the back 38.

[0066] The prefix "main" used with the components of the main housing part 18 facilitates the distinction from the components of the objective lens module housing part 22, which is hereinafter referred to as the prefix "module". The name "inner" used with the components of the inner main contact frame 44 facilitates the distinction from the components of the outer main contact frame 46 to which the name "outer" is attached.

[0067] The inner main contact frame 44 includes two lateral inner main contact portions 48, a front inner main contact portion 50, and a rear inner main contact portion 52.

[0068] The front inner main contact portion 50 is located on the side of the stepped area 36 facing the front 40. The rear inner main contact portion 52 is located on the side facing the back 38 of the housing 16, on the opposite side of the front inner main contact portion 50 of the receiving opening 28. The front inner main contact portion 50 and the rear inner main contact portion 52 extend substantially parallel to the virtual axis 54.

[0069] The lateral inner main contact portions 48 connect the front inner main contact portion 50 and the rear inner main contact portion 52 respectively. The lateral inner main contact portions 48 are located on both axial sides of the receiving opening 28 with respect to the shaft 54.

[0070] The rim portion of the rear inner main contact portion 52 facing the upper surface 42 of the housing 16 forms the rear inner main contact surface 56. The rim portion of the front inner main contact portion facing the upper surface 42 forms the front inner main contact surface 58. The rim portions of the lateral inner main contact portions 48 facing the upper surface 42 or the front surface 40 respectively form the lateral inner main contact surfaces 60.

[0071] When viewed in the direction of the shaft 54, the contours of the two lateral inner main contact surfaces 60 are identical. When viewed in the direction of the shaft 54, the two lateral inner main contact surfaces 60 are aligned. The contour of the lateral inner main contact surface 60 will be described with reference to, for example, one of the two lateral inner main contact surfaces 60 shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7.

[0072] The lateral inner main contact surface 60 has a curved portion 62. When viewed in the direction of the lateral inner main contact surface 60, the curved portion 62 is curved convexly. The curved portion 62 extends with a radius of curvature R in a virtual sector portion 64 of a virtual cylinder. i The axis of the cylinder coincides with the shaft 54. The curved portion 62 extends in an arc shape over an angle of approximately 90° away from the rear inner main contact portion 52 towards the front surface 40 and the bottom surface 68 of the housing 16. As can also be seen from FIGS. 4 and 7, the curved portion 62 is directly adjacent to the rear inner main contact portion 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the curved portion 62 extends over an angle of 90°. The curved portion 62 occupies most of the lateral main contact portion 60, in this example, more than half of the lateral main contact portion 60.

[0073] The curved portion 62 merges into the upper straight portion 66 in a stepless manner at its end portion away from the rear inner main contact portion 52. In the transition portion, the upper straight portion 66 extends in the tangential direction with respect to the curved portion 62. The upper straight portion 66 extends in a flat surface shape toward the bottom surface 68 of the housing 16. The upper straight portion 66 merges into the lower straight portion 70 after bending at an acute angle at its end portion away from the curved portion 62.

[0074] The lower straight portion 70 has the shape of a flat surface. The lower straight portion 70 extends at an angle slightly larger than 90° with respect to the upper straight portion 66. The lower straight portion 70 extends approximately parallel to the upper surface of the main housing portion 18. The lower straight portion 70 extends approximately parallel to each virtual tangent line with respect to the curved portion 62 in the transition portion from the lateral inner main contact surface 60 to the rear inner main contact surface 56.

[0075] The lower straight portion 70 merges into the front inner main contact surface 58 after bending 90° at its end portion away from the upper straight portion 66. The front inner main contact surface 58 extends parallel to the shaft 54. The front inner main contact surface 58 is also flat.

[0076] The outer main contact frame 46 includes two lateral outer main contact portions 72 and a front outer main contact portion 74. The lateral outer main contact portions 72 are located on both axial sides of the receiving opening 28 with respect to the shaft 54. The lateral inner main contact portions 48 are respectively located between one of the lateral outer main contact portions 72 and the receiving opening 28. Therefore, each lateral outer main contact portion 72 is farther from the receiving opening 28 than the lateral inner main contact portion 48 on the same side of the receiving opening 28.

[0077] On the side facing the front 40, the front outer main contact portion 74 extends between the two lateral outer main contact portions 72. The front outer main contact portion 74 is integrated with the upper surface of the main housing portion 18. The front outer main contact portion 74 extends on the side of the front inner main contact portion 50 facing the front 40 of the housing 16. The front outer main contact portion 74 extends parallel to the front inner main contact portion 50 and also parallel to the shaft 54.

[0078] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the laterally outer main contact portion 72 each has a laterally outer main contact surface 76. FIG. 7 shows a cross section perpendicular to the axis 54 passing through one of the laterally outer main contact portions 72. The cross section also shows the adjacent laterally inner main contact portions 48. When viewed in a projection view in the direction of the axis 54, the laterally outer main contact surface 76 extends parallel to the laterally inner main contact surface 60. When viewed in the direction of the axis 54, the contours of the two laterally outer main contact surfaces 76 are the same.

[0079] The laterally outer main contact surface 76 each has a curved portion 78, an upper straight portion 80, and a lower straight portion 82.

[0080] The curved portion 78 of the laterally outer main contact surface 76 extends with a radius of curvature R about the axis 54 in the same sector 64 as the curved portion 62 of the laterally inner main contact surface 60. a When viewed in the direction of the laterally outer main contact surface 76, the curved portion 78 is curved convexly.

[0081] The radius of curvature R of the curved portion 78 of the laterally outer main contact surface 76 a is smaller than the radius of curvature R of the curved portion 62 of the laterally inner main contact surface 60. i

[0082] The curved portions 78 each merge into the upper straight portions 80. In the transition portion, the upper straight portions 80 extend in a tangential direction with respect to the respective ends of the curved portions 78. After bending at an angle slightly larger than 90° in each case, the upper straight portions 80 each merge into the lower straight portions 82. The lower straight portions 82 are flat surfaces. The lower straight portions 82 extend approximately parallel to the respective virtual tangents to the curved portions 78 at the back ends of the laterally outer main contact portions 72.

[0083] ​The lower straight portion 82 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76 is formed on the upper surface of the main housing portion 18. The corresponding portion of the lateral outer main contact portion 72 is integrated with the upper surface of the main housing portion 18. The lower straight portion 82 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76 merges into the front outer main contact surface 84 of the front outer main contact portion 74 respectively. The front outer main contact surfaces 84 are each flat.

[0084] The objective lens module housing portion 22 is shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 12. The objective lens module housing portion 22 has an inner module contact frame 86 and an outer module contact frame 88. The outer module contact frame 88 surrounds the inner module contact frame 86 on three sides, that is, on the front 40 and the side surfaces. When the housing 16 is assembled, the inner module contact frame 86 abuts against the inner main contact frame 44 in a leak - proof manner. In the assembled state, the outer module contact frame 88 abuts against the outer main contact frame 46 in a leak - proof manner.

[0085] The name "inner" used with the components of the inner module contact frame 86 facilitates the distinction from the components of the outer module contact frame 88 to which the name "outer" is attached.

[0086] The inner module contact frame 86 includes two lateral inner module contact portions 90, a front inner module contact portion 92, and a rear inner module contact portion 94.

[0087] The lateral inner module contact portions 90 each have a lateral inner module contact surface 96 at their free ends that face the lateral inner main contact portions 48 when the objective lens module housing portion 22 is assembled.

[0088] The front inner module contact portion 92 has a front inner module contact surface 98 at its free end that faces the front inner main contact portion 50 when the objective lens module housing portion 22 is assembled.

[0089] The rear inner module contact portion 94 has a rear inner module contact surface 100 on the side facing the rear inner main contact portion 52 when the objective lens module housing portion 22 is assembled.

[0090] When viewed in a projection view in the direction of the axis 54, the contours of the two lateral inner module contact surfaces 96 are the same. The lateral inner module contact surfaces 96 each have a curved portion 102, an upper straight portion 104, and a lower straight portion 106.

[0091] The lateral inner module contact surfaces 96 are complementary to the adjacent lateral inner main contact surfaces 60, respectively.

[0092] When the housing 16 is assembled, the virtual axis 54 described above for the main housing portion 18, the corresponding virtual cylinder, and the sector portion 64 coincides with the corresponding axis, the corresponding cylinder, and the corresponding sector portion 64 of the objective lens module housing portion 22. For clarity, the same reference numerals are respectively assigned to the axis 54 and the sector portion 64 in both the cross-sectional view of the assembled housing 16 in FIG. 3 and the detailed views of the main housing portion 18 in FIGS. 4 and 7 and the objective lens module housing portion 22 in FIGS. 9 and 12.

[0093] Each curved portion 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96 extends with a radius of curvature R in the sector portion 64 of the virtual cylinder. i The axis of the cylinder extends axially with respect to the axis 54. When viewed in the direction of each lateral inner module contact surface 96, the curved portion 102 is curved concavely. The radius of curvature R of the curved portion 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96 and the curved portion 62 of the lateral inner main contact surface 60 i is the same. The curved portion 62 extends in an arc shape over an angle of approximately 90° from the rear inner module contact portion 94 toward the front inner module contact portion 92.

[0094] The curved portion 102 merges with the upper straight portion 104 at its end away from the rear inner module contact portion 94. Here, the starting point of the upper straight portion 104 extends in a tangential direction with respect to the end of the curved portion 102. The upper straight portion 104 is a flat surface. The upper straight portion 104 extends toward the bottom surface of the objective lens module housing portion 22. The upper straight portion 104 merges with the lower straight portion 106 after bending at its end away from the curved portion 102. The lower straight portion 106 is a flat surface. The lower straight portion 106 extends at an angle slightly larger than 90° with respect to the upper straight portion 104. The lower straight portion 106 extends approximately parallel to each virtual tangent line to the curved portion 102 at the transition portion from the lateral inner contact surface 96 to the rear inner module contact surface 100.

[0095] The lower straight portion 106 merges with the front inner module contact surface 98 after bending at 90° at its end away from the upper straight portion 104. The front inner module contact surface 98 is a flat surface. The front inner module contact surface 98 extends parallel to the axis 54.

[0096] The outer module contact frame 88 has two lateral outer module contact portions 108 and a front outer module contact portion 110. The lateral outer module contact portions 108 are located on both axial sides of the objective lens module housing portion 22 with respect to the axis 54. The lateral inner module contact portions 90 are respectively located between the lateral outer module contact portions 108. When the housing 16 is assembled, each lateral outer module contact portion 108 is farther from the receiving opening 28 than the lateral inner module contact portion 90 on the same side of the receiving opening 28.

[0097] On the side facing the front of the objective lens module housing part 22, the front outer module contact part 110 extends between the two lateral outer module contact parts 108. The front of the objective lens module housing part 22 is the side where the objective lens receptacle 24 is disposed. The front outer module contact part 110 extends on the side of the front inner module contact part 92 facing the front of the objective lens module housing part 22. The front outer module contact part 110 extends parallel to the front inner module contact part 92 and parallel to the axis 54.

[0098] FIG. 12 shows a cross section perpendicular to the axis 54 passing through one of the lateral outer module contact parts 90. The cross section also shows the lateral outer module contact part 108 located in front of it.

[0099] The lateral outer module contact parts 108 each have a lateral outer module contact surface 112. When viewed in a projection view in the direction of the axis 54, the lateral outer module contact surface 112 extends parallel to the lateral inner module contact surface 96. When viewed in the direction of the axis 54, the contours of the two lateral outer module contact surfaces 112 are the same.

[0100] The lateral outer module contact surface 112 each has a curved part 116, an upper straight part 118, and a lower straight part 120.

[0101] When viewed in the direction of each lateral outer module contact surface 116, the curved part 116 is curved concavely. The curved part 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 has a radius of curvature R centered on the axis 54 in the same sector part 64 as the lateral inner module contact surface 96 a and extends. The radius of curvature R of the curved part 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 and the curved part 78 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76 a is the same. The radius of curvature R of the curved part 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 a is smaller than the R of the curved part 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96 i is smaller.

[0102] The curved portions 116 merge with the upper straight portions 118 respectively. In the transition portion, the upper straight portions 118 extend in the tangential direction with respect to the respective curved portions 116. The upper straight portions 118 are flat surfaces. After bending at an angle slightly larger than 90° in each case, the upper straight portions 118 merge with the lower straight portions 120 respectively. The lower straight portions 120 are flat surfaces. The lower straight portions 120 extend approximately parallel to the respective virtual tangents to the curved portions 116 at the rear end of the lateral outer module contact portion 108.

[0103] The lower straight portions 120 of the lateral outer module contact surfaces 112 merge with the front outer module contact surfaces 114 of the front outer module contact portions 110 respectively after bending at about 90°. The front outer module contact surfaces 114 are flat surfaces.

[0104] In the state where the housing 16 is assembled, the curved portion 62 of the lateral inner main contact surface 60, the curved portion 78 of the lateral outer main contact surface 76, the curved portion 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96, and the curved portion 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 extend in the sector portion 64 when viewed in the projection view in the direction of the axis 54.

[0105] When assembling the housing 16, the objective lens module housing portion 22 is placed on the receiving opening 28 of the main housing portion 18 from the upper surface 52 with its inner side as the leading end. During this process, the lateral inner module contact surface 96 slides along the corresponding lateral inner main contact surface 60, and the lateral outer module contact surface 112 slides along the lateral outer main contact surface 76.

[0106] On one hand, each curved portion 62 of the lateral inner main contact surface 60 of the main housing portion 18 and the curved portion 78 of the lateral outer main contact portion 72, and on the other hand, the curved portion 102 of the lateral inner module contact surface 96 of the objective lens module housing portion 22 and the curved portion 116 of the lateral outer module contact surface 112 bring about the effect that the objective lens module housing portion 22 is guided to the correct final position. Here, the tolerance associated with all components is compensated by the cylindrical curvature.

[0107] In the final position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the objective lens module housing portion 22 is screwed to the upper surface of the main housing portion 18 by screws passing through the corresponding screw openings 122 shown in FIG. 5. In this process, the outer main contact surfaces 76 and 84 of the outer main contact frame 46 are pressed against the corresponding outer module contact surfaces 112 and 114 of the outer module contact frame 88 in a leak - proof manner. The inner main contact surfaces 56, 58, 60 of the inner main contact frame 44 are pressed against the corresponding inner module contact surfaces 96, 98, 100 of the inner module contact frame 86 in a leak - proof manner. Due to the fact that the contact surfaces 56, 58, 60, 96, 98, 100 of the inner contact frames 44 and 86 extend at a greater distance from the axis 54 than the contact surfaces 76, 84, 112, 114 of the respective outer contact frames 46 and 88, a labyrinth - type seal region is formed between the inner contact frames 44, 86 and the outer contact frames 46, 88. Also, the outer contact frames 46, 88 protect the reel region between the inner contact frames 44 and 86 from the surroundings.

Claims

1. A housing (16) for a vehicle camera (14), comprising: at least one main housing part (18) having at least one receiving opening (28); and at least one objective lens module housing part (22) having at least one objective lens receptacle (24) for at least one optical system (26), the objective lens module housing part (22) being arranged in at least one of the at least one receiving openings (28) of the at least one main housing part (18). At least one of the at least one main housing part (18) has at least one main contact part (48, 72). At least one of the at least one objective lens module housing part (22) has at least one module contact part (90, 108) that at least partially contacts at least one of the at least one main contact part (48, 72). At least one of the main contact parts (48, 72) has at least one main contact surface (60, 76) that curves at least in part (62, 78). At least one of the module contact parts (90, 108) is at least one module contact surface (96, 112) that curves at least in part (102, 116) and at least partially contacts at least one of the at least one main contact surfaces (60, 76) of at least one of the at least one main contact parts (48, 72) at at least one of the at least one curved parts (62, 78). The curvature of at least one of the at least one curved parts (62, 78) of at least one of the at least one main contact surfaces (60, 76) is the same as the curvature of at least one of the at least one curved parts (102, 116) of at least one of the at least one module contact surfaces (96, 112) that contact. A housing characterized by the above.

2. The curved part (62) extends in an arc away from the rear inner main contact part (52) towards the front (40) and / or the bottom surface (68) of the housing (16). The rear inner main contact part (52) is located on the side of the receiving opening (28) facing the rear (38) of the housing (16). The housing according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The curved part (62) extends over an angle of about 90°, particularly over an angle of 90°. The housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. The curvature of at least one of the curved portions (62, 78) of at least one of the main contact surfaces (60, 76) is constant in at least one plane, and / or the curvature of at least one of the curved portions (102, 116) of at least one of the module contact surfaces (96, 112) is constant in at least one plane. and / or At least one of the main contact surfaces (60, 76) extends at least partially along a virtual cylindrical surface, in particular along a virtual cylindrical surface, and / or at least one of the module contact surfaces (96, 112) extends at least partially along a virtual cylindrical surface, in particular along a virtual cylindrical surface. The housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

5. At least one of the main housing parts (18) has at least two main contact parts (48, 72) each having at least one main contact surface (60, 76). and / or At least one objective lens module housing part (22) has at least two module contact parts (90, 108) each having at least one main contact surface (96, 112). The housing according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

6. At least two of the main contact parts (48, 72) are arranged on both sides of at least one of the receiving openings (28). and / or At least two of the module contact parts (90, 108) are arranged on both sides of at least one of the receiving openings (28). The housing according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. At least two of the main contact parts (48, 72) are arranged on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings (28). and / or At least two of the module contact parts (90, 108) are arranged on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings (28). The housing according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that.

8. The curved portions (62, 78) of the respective main contact surfaces (60, 76) of at least two of the main contact parts (48, 72) have the same curvature in at least one common sector (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). and / or At least two of the module contact portions (90, 108) each have a module contact surface (96, 112) whose curved portion (102, 116) has the same curvature in at least one common sector portion (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). The housing according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that.

9. Of the main contact portions (48, 72), the curved portions (62, 78) of at least two respective main contact surfaces (60, 76) have different radii of curvature (R ｉ , R ａ ) with respect to the axis (54) in at least one common sector portion (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). And / or Of the main contact portions (48, 72), the curved portions (62, 78) of the respective main contact surfaces (60, 76) of at least two of them have the same radius of curvature (R ｉ , R ａ ) with respect to the axis (54) in at least one common sector portion (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). And / or Of the module contact portions (90, 108), the curved portions (102, 116) of the respective module contact surfaces (96, 112) of at least two of them have different radii of curvature (R ｉ , R ａ ) with respect to the axis (54) in at least one common sector portion (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). And / or Of the module contact portions (90, 108), the curved portions (102, 116) of the respective module contact surfaces (96, 112) of at least two of them have the same radius of curvature (R ｉ , R ａ ) with respect to the axis (54) in at least one common sector portion (64) when viewed in the direction of the virtual axis (54). The housing according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that.

10. At least one common sector portion (64) extends over an angle of 30° to 90°. The housing according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that.

11. At least two main contact portions (48, 72) having corresponding main contact surfaces (60, 76) located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings (28) are arranged in series when viewed from the receiving openings (28), and a curved portion (78) of the main contact surface (76) of the main contact portion (72) farther from at least one of the receiving openings (28) has a smaller radius of curvature (R ａ ) than the curved portion (62) of the main contact surface (60) of the main contact portion (48) located closer to the receiving opening (28). And / or At least two module contact portions (90, 108) having corresponding module contact surfaces (96, 112) located on the same side of at least one of the receiving openings (28) are arranged in series when viewed from the receiving openings (28), and a curved portion (116) of the module contact surface (112) of the module contact portion (108) farther from the receiving openings (28) has a smaller radius of curvature (R ａ ) than a curved portion (102) of the module contact surface (96) of the module contact portion (90) located closer to the receiving openings (28). The housing according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that.

12. At least one curved portion (62, 78) of at least one main contact surface (60, 76) is at least partially convexly curved when viewed in the direction of the corresponding main contact surface (60, 76). And / or At least one curved portion (102, 116) of at least one module contact surface (96, 112) is at least partially concavely curved when viewed in the direction of the corresponding module contact surface (96, 112). The housing according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that.

13. A vehicle camera (14) having at least one housing (16), At least one image sensor is disposed in the housing (16), and at least one optical system (26) aligned with at least one of the image sensors is disposed in the housing (16). At least one of the housings (16) has at least one main housing portion (18) having at least one receiving opening (28) and at least one objective lens module housing portion (22) having at least one objective lens receptacle (24) for at least one of the optical systems (26), the objective lens module housing portion (22) being disposed in at least one of the receiving openings (28) of at least one main housing portion (18). At least one of the main housing portions (18) has at least one main contact portion (48, 72). At least one of the objective lens module housing portions (22) has at least one module contact portion (90, 108) that at least partially contacts at least one of the main contact portions (48, 72). The vehicle camera (14) has a housing (16) according to one of claims 1 to 12. The vehicle camera (14) is characterized by this.

14. A vehicle (10) having at least one vehicle camera (14), wherein the vehicle camera (14) has at least one housing (16), at least one image sensor is disposed in the housing (16), and at least one optical system (26) that is aligned with at least one of the image sensors is disposed in the housing (16), at least one of the housings (16) includes at least one main housing portion (18) having at least one receiving opening (28) and at least one objective lens module housing portion (22) having at least one objective lens receptacle (24) for at least one of the optical systems (26), the objective lens module housing portion (22) being disposed in at least one of the receiving openings (28) of at least one of the main housing portions (18), at least one of the main housing portions (18) has at least one main contact portion (48, 72), and at least one of the objective lens module housing portions (22) has at least one module contact portion (90, 108) that at least partially contacts at least one of the main contact portions (48, 72), the vehicle (10) has a vehicle camera (14) having a housing (16) according to one of claims 1 to 12. The vehicle (10) is characterized by this.

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